The host of the Anxiety Summit, Trudy Scott, Food Mood Expert and Nutritionist, author of The Antianxiety Food Solution opens up the Anxiety Summit Season 4.
Anxiety Summit opening: benzos, electroshock, blueberries, sauerkraut and the vagus nerve
- My vagus nerve story and how GABA helped
- Why we need an integrative approach: Electroshock, LSD, BPA, zinc deficiencies, medication side-effects
- An update on benzodiazepines and what we can learn from the Swiss and Blue Zones
- Anxiety: new research on blueberries, gluten, sauerkraut, low vitamin B6 and iron, foods rich in polyphenols
- An overview of the speakers and topics on this summit
My vagus nerve story – the videos document the journey with GABA and vagus nerve exercises 3-6-6 breathing and happy birthday humming.
This article published just last month is just so distressing to even contemplate: American Psychiatric Association Lobbies FDA to Electroshock Children
While the APA looks to seizure-inducing, brain-disabling, electricity as a form of ‘treatment,’ lobbying the FDA to make ECT available for children, no one in medicine, let alone psychiatry, has a clue how ECT machines ‘work’ or how passing large amounts of electricity into a child’s brain ‘treats’ the subjective mental disorder.
Also published last month is an article in the New York Times called: LSD Like Drugs Are Out of the Haze and Back in the Labs.
modern scientists are picking up where their forerunners of the ’50s and ’60s left off. They are studying hallucinogens’ potential to help smokers kick the habit, to undo addictions to drugs and alcohol, to cope with cluster headaches and depression, and to deal with obsessive-compulsive and post-traumatic stress disorders.
Earlier this year a bill was put forward in Massachusetts proposing informed consent for benzodiazepine use. They will be submitting it again in a future session.
Here is the blog post and research on blueberries and serotonin: Blueberries boost serotonin and may help with PTSD and anxiety
Rats that were fed blueberries saw an increase in serotonin levels and the study authors suggest that the neuroprotection offered by the blueberries may offer support for those with PTSD. Presumably this could help those with anxiety and depression too, since low serotonin can also be an underlying factor.
Here is the blog post and research on gluten and OCD: Integrative Medicine Approach to Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Anxiety
The 7-year-old boy was put on a gluten-free diet and they saw a huge reduction in his OCD symptoms and anxiety and an improvement in social behavior and school work.
A paper published in August 2015: Fermented foods, neuroticism, and social anxiety suggests that:
consumption of fermented foods that contain probiotics may serve as a low-risk intervention for reducing social anxiety
Here are some of the other papers I mentioned:
- Low serum concentrations of vitamin B6 and iron are related to panic attack and hyperventilation attack
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Zinc-deficient ASD mice study: Gender Dependent Evaluation of Autism like Behavior in Mice Exposed to Prenatal Zinc Deficiency
- Polyphenols / what foods can help fight the risk of chronic inflammation?
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Bisphenol A exposure and children’s behavior: A systematic review
Here is the master blog with all the speakers, their topics and their individual blog posts with additional information, links to studies, books and other resources – The Anxiety Summit Season 4: All the speakers and topics (keep in mind that the speaker blog links will be live/active from the day of the speaker interview)
If you already have my book The Antianxiety Food Solution: How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood, and End Cravings, I recommend that you skim through it again and review the chapters on the food basics, gluten, amino acids, pyroluria and digestion. If you don’t yet have a copy, I highly recommend getting a copy so you can be educated as well as empowered.
Here is my gift to you, a song called Top of the World (grab the mp3 at this link)
A new beginning, a brand new day
All of my fears are gone away
I feel so calm, so free, so whole
Right now, I’m feeling on top of the world
On top the world
Right now, I’m feeling on top of the world
And here is another special gift: transcript of this entire talk!
Download the transcript here (right-click on the link and select “Save link as” or “Save target as” to download the file to your computer)
If you are not already registered for the Anxiety Summit you can get live access to the speakers of the day here: www.theAnxietySummit.com
Missed this interview or can’t listen live? Or want this and the other great interviews for your learning library? Purchase the MP3s or MP3s + transcripts and listen when it suits you.
You can find your purchasing options here.: Anxiety Summit Season 1, Anxiety Summit Season 2, Anxiety Summit Season 3, and Anxiety Summit Season 4.
If a male senior involuntarily moves head when he should be still, is this a sign of nerve damage (which nerve?) or brain damage? Home is wifi & with smart meter by utility company so very high frequencies in environment. Uses cell phone, computers & does AV equipment operations some days for 3 hrs straight at times so exposed to GHz & MHz. Could food heal nerves & brain? Since 2nd brain is in guts & intestine area is enlarged or sticking out, could this be a sign of undigested food or absence or insufficient internal cleansing of colon & organs? Could sounds of low frequencies like Schumann Resonance close to 7.83 hz also heal this case as articles/video says?
Trina
I would have your doctor test for low B12 and also rule out Parkinson’s disease. And avoid the EMFs. Bloating can be gluten, SIBO or other food sensitivities. I’m not familiar with sound frequencies so can’t help there
The bit I always get confused about is knowing what is anxiety and what is something else
I’ve heard you describe low GABA anxiety as physical tension and worry, and low serotonin anxiety as inner rumination.
I’d like to know is irritability a form of anxiety or is it something else? I mean the sort of irritability where you are snapping at people, short fuse, everything upsets you, very emotional (labile) and you just feel this inner anger or irritability so the smallest thing upsets you. Is that anxiety or is it something else? Does it relate to low GABA low serotonin or is it something else?
Cheers!
Tania
The irritability, short fuse, anger type of anxiety could be low blood sugar or low serotonin or maybe some of both. Do the amino acid questionnaire to help figure it out https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/
Thanks! That was interesting. I haven’t seen a low endorphins questionnaire before but I think if I put low serotonin + endorphins and maybe sprinkle in Low Catecholamines at various times you’ve just summed me up.
I see you recommend DPA. I bought that ages ago and was too scared to try it. The same with glutamine. I need to stop listening to other people who don’t have the same type of anxiety. Although I crave sugar I can’t say that I have the other low blood sugar symptoms.
you’ve encouraged me to be brave. I will tip a small amount out of the capsule and try it to see if I notice anything. Awesomeness!!
Hi Trudy! ZINC…there are so many different ones! Which type/form/brand is recommended for supplementing pyroluria? I also see a brand that is whole-food-based, so would that be better, or is there a specific one I need to buy?
Donna
I find optizinc to be well absorbed. Here are some brands https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-pyroluria-supplements/
Thank you Trudy!
Cannot download page on his diet please help
Jan
Sorry to hear – best to send an email to support@everywomanover29.com for tech type issues like this and we can help. Please let us know what error you get and if pc, mac or other device
Hey Trudy,
This is my second year attending your summit. Looking forward to hearing season 4. I have question.
I have a 15 year old daughter who has anxiety she is not on meds. I just got her blood results in and her iron is very low and so is her ferritin, TSH is high at 4.8
her doctor says its not that big of a deal. I know better. she is tiered all the time and gets anxious and has trouble with OCDat times. Any suggestion would be so much appreciated
Camille
Glad to have you back! As you heard today, iron is needed to make serotonin and GABA which helps with anxiety. It’s also a factor in fatigue and key for thyroid health. TSH of 4.8 is considered underactive with functional medicine doctors using 2.5 as the cut-off.
You have 2 choices: educate your doctor (nicely) or find a new one who is on board with a functional approach.
I would get thyroid antibodies tested and look at gluten. You need to get to the root cause of the low iron – low iron diet, gluten damage to the gut, has a heavy period etc?
Benzos are one of the worst things ever invented!! Doctors had me on a huge dose over 21 yrs. My life was all but gone. 3 suicide attempts over that time. Started liquid titration over a year ago to get off the high dose of 5-6mg/day. It’s been an agonizing year, to say the least. I’m down to 1.41mg/day as of now with the hardest part to come. The lower you go, the slower you go and it’s the hardest part of the journey. Unbelievable anxiety, insomnia, agoraphobia, ringing ears, wrecked hormones, thyroid & adrenals, TMJ, nerve zaps, aching teeth & gums, etc etc etc. Stay away from ANY doctor that even mentions benzos!!! I’m on Klonopin…the worst drug on the planet. Just ask Kelly Brogan. Research it. Good luck in your journeys!!
Rosie
Thanks very much for sharing – I’m so sorry you have had to go through this! I wish you much healing and you go lower. I just wish more people know about these effects.
Oh wow – re Tom O’Bryan ..so agree it would be a wonderful world that we could have all mums-to-be tested. If working with mums-to-be, can you please confirm it is both array 3 and 5 that are recommended.
Thank you for a great summit
Sheryl
I didn’t ask the question but I would guess all the arrays would be valuable
Hi Trudy
Thanks for hosting these summits. I have listened to all your summits and find the information very interesting and useful. Just yesterday my daughter’s best friend (21 years of age) revealed to her that she has been struggling to cope with life in general for the past 3 years and is in a downward spiral. Since two weeks she has seen a psychiatrist and has been prescribed antidepressants which she says makes her feel strange. I want to point her in the right direction. Can you please suggest what should be my advice to her.
Gita
I would have them join the summit to hear from all the speakers! Get my book for them, share the blog and get them on board with nutritional approaches
I am loving this summit! So much excellent information!
You mentioned Matcha tea. Do you have any brand recommendations and recipes??
Theresa
I don’t have a recommendation for brands but here is Magdalena’s blog https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/coffee-hidden-anxiety/
Hello Trudy.
I am an Integrative Health Coach, and I cannot pick a favourite speaker from this year’s summit. I am learning so much! Thank you for all of the questions that you are asking your interviewees, and thank you for selecting such qualified speakers.
I am enjoying this summit, and wish that I could afford to purchase a copy of it. I am still working on my own health issues, and finances are a bit too tight right now. I have taken great notes, and am sharing your information with my clients and friends!
Again, I thank you for all that you have done, including your summary of each interview.
Namaste
Lucie
Thanks for the lovely feedback – I wish you speedy healing!
Hi Trudy thanks for this great informative summit I’m new to all this but learning every day. I wondered if you could advise in any way. I have been diagnosed with pbc and my gastro doctor is pleased I have responded well to the bile salts I take he only needs to see me once a year. My problem is I have advanced periodontal problems (which I think is linked in some way)but my periodontist tells me that my gums are not healing the way they should. Can you advise where I can start in sorting this. I keep having flare ups in my gums and I was at least hoping I may be able to save some of my teeth. Again many thanks for your wonderful work.
Marilyn
I’m afraid PBC and periodontal issues are not my area of expertise so I would find someone who can help with nutritional assessment. Low zinc and low vitamin C are factors with connective tissue and mouth health. Gut health and mouth health can be connected too
This is my 4th summit. I have tried pretty much all of the aminos over my 17-year health journey. I have not found any relief, especially for anxiety, depression and sleep. I tried GABA again this morning, in the form currently in my collection, and just got more anxious.
Sleep is a major detriment in my situation and has been for many years. The only thing that will actually make me sleep is to take 1/2 of low-dose benzos — Ativan, Alprazolam or rarely, Klonopin. I only use them when I am desperate, and I am not addicted. Hearing all the warnings about benzos only makes me more anxious, thinking I should find something else that works, but I have tried a multitude of vitamins, aminos, herbs and brain wave techniques. I have no problem going to sleep but wake in the middle of every night for 2-3 hours. This is wreaking havoc on my physical, mental and emotional health.
I have many chronic health challenges including leaky gut, SIBO, malabsorption, constipation and polarity problems. I recently had surgery for hyperparathyroidism, but that hasn’t made any difference either. I had 2 tumors, one quite large and present for about 10 years.
Should I give up on the amino route? Do you deal with other methods of healing in your practice? I am very open to a fecal transplant whenever that becomes available.
Thanks for all you put into the summits.
Lynne
I’m sorry to hear you have not yet found solutions. I’m afraid to say the symptoms you describe could be due to the benzodiazepines. Have you seen my benzo talk here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/say-no-to-benzodiazepines-for-anxiety-webinar-replay/
Re the GABA, I do not recommend using any amino acid or other nutrient that causes worse anxiety. But it may be too much or not the best brand. How much did you use and what product?
Unfortunately, I have had these same symptoms since years before I started taking benzos. I only take 1/2 of each occasionally in the middle of the night: half of .5 for the Ativan and hardly ever half of a .5 Klonopin. The Alp. is 1/2 of .25 mg. I’ve never taken more than that.
My dentist suggested 5 mg. of Flexaril, but that rarely works for sleep. I refuse to take Ambien or anything like that.
Thanks for sending the blog link, but the replay doesn’t work. I would love to hear it if that is possible.
GABA: Right now I have Now 750 mg. veg. cap. I’ve taken others in the past, including Source Naturals GABA Calm, which didn’t help at all.
Lynne
It may well be some other underlying cause – have you ruled out all the causes on this list https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/60-nutritional-biochemical-causes-of-anxiety/
We covered some new ones this summit – like fluroquinolone antibiotics too https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/antibiotic-anxiety-fluoroquinolone/
BTW I don’t have any issue with the replay
I did not “reply” on my previous response, I just replied to the email notice. I hope that works.
I forgot to say:
About sleep aids: I have taken Kavinace (regular, not PM) with very mixed results. But didn’t I hear you say on some summit that you do not ever use “4-amino-3-phenylbutyric acid’” similar to GABA? Is it dangerous?
Trudy,
Oh, yeah. I’m over the top with that list of biochemical causes. My PA is working on some of that because but there is so much. She nailed hyperparathyroidism in January, which many practitioners missed, and I had a very large tumor and a small one removed at the Norman Clinic in Tampa — very interesting. Maybe that is a cause of anxiety and depression, but removal of the tumors has not improved my health in any noticeable way. I hope improvement is happening at some level, maybe the osteoporosis.
To all practitioners: High calcium and parathyroid hormone were the give aways. Please check your patients who have the symptoms.
Re: Ron Sturz’s talk: I’m one of those who had high quinolinic acid on Great Plains Lab OAT then 6 months later it was normal, for no reason that I know of.
Re: Replay. A totally different-looking page came up this time. Fluke of the internet, I guess. I will listen.
Thanks so much for your expertise, energy and dedication. You rock!
Lynne
Lynne
I don’t recommend phenyl-GABA as it’s so similar to benzodiazepines
Hi Trudy. I am so enjoying your summit but was wondering why nowhere have you mentioned Kava which I have read is very effective against anxiety. Can you please comment on this. Thanks so much. Lisa
Lisa
It’s not something I’ve ever used and I try to cover topics that I have some experience with. Perhaps in another summit in the future
Hi Trudy: Thank you so so much for organizing this summit. I am interested from different angles, personally and professionally. I am experiencing severe anxiety and so looking at gut health, nutritional healing, etc. Including for my family. I would like to try some of what I have been learning about here, including GABA Calm and Lidtke’s L-Tryptophan. I’m wondering if you know whether it is safe and reliable to order these from Amazon? I see them both available there. Thanks for clarifying!!
Sending so much gratitude to you.
Caitlin Roberts
Caitlin
Per Ron Sturtz the Lidtke products are not authorized for sale on Amazon (please see one of his comments on his speaker blog) https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/tryptophan-anxiety-depression-insomnia/ I don’t know about GABA Calm. I personally don’t buy supps from Amazon and don’t recommend that route for my clients simply because we just don’t know.
Hi Trudy: Thank you so so much for your prompt reply! I cancelled my Amazon order and will stick to his and other’s websites. Much appreciated!!
Caitlin
Hi Trudy:
Another question I have is how I would time/dose/titrate GABA Calm and Tryptophan or whether one does one or the other. Can you share what has worked with others?
Thanks a million!
Caitlin
Caitlin
I have clients do the amino acid questionnaire https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/ and a trial of each one separately https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/how-to-do-an-amino-acid-trial-for-anxiety/
Trudy:
Thank you for your response/s to my question/s. So much appreciated. I will certainly be needing to do the trials for GABA and Seratonin as I have multiple sx in both categories. I think I posted you a question earlier this morning, after reading through the recommendations for how to do the trials. I’m not clear still on exactly which GABA I do trial with — would I do it with GABA Calm or with something else? Same for Tryptophan… I’m trying to figure out what to order both for trial/s and for supplementation, since I am confident I will be needing both. Also want to do this with my 8 y.o.
Thanks Trudy!
Caitlin
Caitlin
I can’t offer advice specific to your situation. In my interview on GABA (https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/gaba-blood-brain-barrier-trial-anxiety/) I share how I have my clients decide which area they want to focus on first, low GABA or low serotonin
I use GABA Calm unless someone has an issue with tyrosine (high blood pressure, migraine or melanoma)
I have been listening to the Season 4 Summit. It is phenomenal! Thank you for sharing this valuable information!
One question… My wife has been dealing with severe, and at times, crippling anxiety for several years. I have been researching anxiety and trying to help my wife with her diet. She is open to changing her diet in order to hopefully eliminate the anxiety she feels on a daily basis. The problem and concern (therefore my question) is she is currently on medication–which her doctor is adamant that she stays on it. How does one taking medication make the transition in order to get off medicine? Is it focus on diet first without altering medicines and then after 2-4 weeks start weaning off? Her doctor did say he would ultimately help her get off the medicine if that’s what she wants, and I’m not asking for your opinion on how she should get off her current medicine–since you do not know her medical history. In general, what advice would you give, so that we have an idea of how to approach the topic with the doctor and some guidance on how best to plan getting off medicine with his input.
Thomas
So so glad you’re enjoying it. I’m sorry to hear about your wife. I find it’s always best to get as healthy as possible before doing any medication taper. This could mean dietary changes, lifestyle changes to reduce stress and in many instances supplements to make things easier (this could take as long as 2-3 months, sometimes longer). I find using the targeted amino acids like GABA and tryptophan very helpful for this – providing hope and relief right away. I cover this in my GABA talk on this summit https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/gaba-blood-brain-barrier-trial-anxiety/
Keep in mind that both SSRIs and benzodiazepines can be challenging to taper so educate yourself and make sure your doctor knows the best approach for tapering. Unfortunately many don’t.
Dr Kelly Brogan uses a similar approach – here is an interview with her https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/medication-tapering-withdrawal-kelly-brogan/
Thomas, I’m no rocket scientist but I, unfortunately, have a lot of experience tapering off a benzo and other crazy drugs. Unfortunately, I followed doctors orders for 21 years. Still can’t believe they did this to me (and many others). I don’t know if your wife is even on a benzo, but educate yourselves really well before attacking that if she is. Doctors are clueless when it comes to tapering. I like Kelly Brogan a lot, but still be careful if ever tapering off a benzo or anything. Using the Heather Ashton protocol can be helpful, but not when someone gets to the small doses. Success goes really high if a person uses the LIQUID titration at that point. I know Kelly & others like the Ashton method, but personally, I strongly recommend liquid for the entire taper of a benzo. I’ve worked with others in my situation, and we’ve all done well to this point. I first got off SSRI’s and saved the killer benzo for last. Doctors had me on 5+ milligrams/day for over 21 years!! I’ve been doing the liquid titration for about 13 months now & I’m down to 1.29 mg/day with a long way to go, but doing alright since I’m “healing faster than I taper” which is the key. Good luck to your wife and any other blessed soul that faces this challenge!!
I’d appreciate any resources you might have for getting off SSRIs, particularly Paxil, and how to taper successfully. I’m not good at math, so titration confuses me, and I’ve always taken tablets, not the liquid form. I’m aware of Kelly Brogan’s work. Thank you!
Donna
I have my clients make dietary changes and add the aminos and other nutrients for a few months and then work with their doctor on doing a taper. You’ll need to find a doctor who can help with the titration and very likely educate yourself in advance of this. Or better yet work with Dr. kelly Brogan
According to Dr. Eric Braverman, there are foods which increase GABA, but I always emphasize organic. Lentils can be sprayed pre and post planting with glyphosate and DO contain glyphosate. (Round Up Ready).
banana
broccoli
brown rice
citrus fruit
halibut
herbal teas
lentils
molasses
nuts
oatmeal
organ meats
rice bran
spinach
whole grains
Thanks for sharing this list – each person would need to figure out what can be tolerated (for example grains and legumes may be an issue for some)
Trudy, believe you mentioned how to get off of benzos like Xanax. Have been on this over a month and really need to do so! Can you help? Or where is this information or talk?
Tried to just stop and it was horrific.
Thank you!
Beth
Feel free to search the blog for benzodiazepines – there are many blog posts. Here is one of them to get you started https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/say-no-to-benzodiazepines-for-anxiety-webinar-replay/
The support group benzobuddies.org is also a great resource (just be aware they say no to supps which I disagree with)
Hi Trudy:
I just saw that your closing talk is not available on replays today — any idea when you will make them available and how we can be sure hot to miss it? Will you be emailing folks once the summit is closed? I’m eager to hear the info you will be sharing.
Thanks so much for this amazing summit!
Caitlin
Caitlin
I got behind and it will be up shortly – sorry about that! We’ll let you know
Glad you’ve enjoyed it!
Hi Trudy:
No problem at all! I imagine you have been so busy with this summit! I’m excited to hear what you have to share.
Thanks so very much for the wealth of information. Deeply grateful.
Hugs,
Caitlin
Hi Trudy,
I am currently taking 20mg of the SSRI, paroxetine (Paxil), and have been doing this for almost 20 years straight. This is the only pharmaceutical drug that I am taking, (Thank God).
When I run into a spell of having difficulty sleeping, can I take GABA and if so at what dosage?
Thanks,
Sid Ruck
Sidney
I can’t offer specific advice here on the blog but can share that I have my clients do the amino acid questionnaire https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/ and a trial https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/how-to-do-an-amino-acid-trial-for-anxiety/
I can say that GABA is fine to take with Paxil. And talk more about GABA here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/gaba-blood-brain-barrier-trial-anxiety/
I’m sure you are aware that Paxil does have side-effects and one of them is insomnia
Hi Trudy,
Love your book. It opened a door to food and nutrition that heal! So thank you for that.
My sister read somewhere that cooked cabbage is good for the gut because of the glutamine that is released. I was wondering if you know about sauerkraut?
Does it also release glutamine or is it full of probiotics but not rich in glutamine because it wasn’t cooked??
Thanks in advance for any advice
Annette LeBlanc
New Brunswick Canada